Finland partners NGO on maternity packages for expectant mothers

The government of Finland has promised to collaborate with White Ribbon Alliance, a non-governmental organization towards providing free maternity packages for expectant mothers in the country.

Ambassador of Finland to Nigeria, Pirjo Suomela-Chowdhury, made this known when White Ribbon Alliance Nigeria (WRAN) Special Envoy for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, and Nollywood actor, Mr. Jim Iyke paid him a visit in Abuja.

The ambassador explained that the initiative which helped Finland achieve one of the world’s lowest infant mortality rates, will help reduce Nigeria’s infant and maternal indices.

She explained that the box provides mothers with what they would need to look after their babies and also serves as an incentive for expectant mothers to go to the maternity clinic.

According to her since 1949, the Finnish government has offered every new mother a box including body suits, a sleeping bag, outdoor gear, bathing products for the baby, as well as nappies, bedding and a small mattress.

Suomela-Chowdhury thanked the White Ribbon Alliance Nigeria for its role in promoting public awareness of the need to make pregnancy and childbirth safe for all women and newborns in Nigeria.

Nollywood actor, Jim Iyke explained that the White Ribbon Alliance Nigeria was looking at ways to replicate the idea of the maternity box as a way of reducing maternal maternity in Nigeria.

“The Baby Box initiative is a good one, and we are looking at low cost interventions that would lives of children and their mothers as well,” he said.

He stressed the need for women and children in the rural communities to have access to health in Nigeria.